|
You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
May 14, 2016 06:00 PM Vilnius to Gdansk
On Sunday early morning in Vilnius buses to the airport start operate after 6 am. For my low-cost flight I should be at the terminal before 6, so I was forced to order the taxi. Fortunately Vilnius airport is not far from the city centre. I paid for the ride only 6 euro.
The guy at security control asked me twice after X-ray screening if I have any liquids in my backpack. -No! So they probably do not trust this sophisticated machine.
Then we were walking about 200 m to the wizz plane. Take-off and after 1 h 20 min in the air I landed in Malmo. I like this little airport. It is clean and quiet, offers good and free internet connection and if you have the connection there is no need to go off and in again.
I am waiting for the flight to Gdansk. The another short voyage to the countries of Eastern Europe is almost over. I had excellent weather (except one day), I saw new places and I had a chance to meet interesting people. OKAY, now my Wojtkowka is waiting for me :)
|
May 13, 2016 06:00 PM Baltic coast of Lithuania
Lithuania has only 99 kms of the sea coast. The most attractive for the tourists is Couronian Spit - a long and narrow peninsula protecting very long lagoon. The peninsula (southern part belongs to Russia/Kaniningrad Oblast) is famous for the beaches and sand dunes. Two ferries sail there from Klaipeda. I took passnenger-only ferry from the old town. It costs 0,80 euro and in 5 min will take you to the other side of the lagoon. If you are lucky the bus will wait on the other side to take you 44 km south to the nice fishermen village Nida (3,40 eu). Just few kms south of Nida is Russian border and this is the dune area. They planted vegetation on the rest of the dunes - regarding landscape it is disappointing.
Back in Klaipeda I took in the afternoon marshrutka (1,40 eu) to the seaside resort town of Palanga -25 kms away. Apart from the wide beaches it is famous for the Amber Museum located in the former palace of Polish comte Tyszkiewicz. The palace is surrounded by beautiful park. For sure worth to see!
|
May 12, 2016 06:00 PM By train to Klaipeda, Lithuania
Lithuania isn't a big country. I decided to go to the coast of Baltic Sea to see the Lithuanian port Klaipeda. Lithuanian railways offer 3 trains per day from Vilnius, it takes around 4 hours to reach the destination. I found the website of LR, made a choice of the train. They made me happy announcing, that I will get an extra discounts for buying ticket via internet and for buying round-rtip in advance. I proceeded to the payment keeping in hand my 3 different credit cards. Can you imagine how angry I was when they announced that I cannot use ANY card to buy their ticke online - you have to have an account in Lithuanian bank. Finally I jumped on the trolleybus going to the station. I did not get there any discount and I spent extra 2 euro for trolleybus.
This was the fast train. There were only 3 carriages and the conductor in every carriage. I reached Klaipeda after 2 pm. Klaipeda has a kind of ols Prussian charm with many cobbled streets, old theatre on the square near the port and two-storey houses. I stay in the outskirts of the center in the little pension "Varsutine 9". The old lady -the owner is exceptional host: she is welcoming guests not only with smile, but also with chocolate candies, cakes and coffee. I am impressed.
|
May 11, 2016 06:00 PM Giving lecture in Vilnius
Sometimes the life surprises you. Can you imagine: today in front of the Vilnius university located in the heart of tge old town I met by strange coincidence Vilius - Lithuanian traveller. Some 5 years ago we met in Siwa Oasis in Egypt to travel toogether through Sahara Desert! Vilius took me to the interior of the university (normally they charge 1,50 euro entry fee) and ornate St John church - it still works like univerrsity church. Then we have a look of presidential palace - just nearby -see the presidential palace gardens on the picture. What a nice and surprising meeting after years!
For centuries - until the second world war there was a strong union between Poland and Lithuania. Many Poles including Polish biggest poet Adam Mickiewicz lived and worked here. I found the monument of Mickiewicz in front of St Anna church. On the local cemeteries I saw many graves with Polish names. But now the friendly locals speak rather English then Polish.
I have been invited to give the lecture about the world and my traveling in Polish Institute in Vilnius, located just near the city hall. The biggest room of the institute was full and instead planed 60 minutes I was talking more than 2 hours... Many questions... Big satisfaction for the lecturer.
|
May 10, 2016 06:00 PM Vilnius - the biggest Old Town in Europe?
Old Vilnius enchanted me again after some 35 years. They write that it forms the biggest in Europe complex of old architecture. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. With many churches reopened after the soviet period, nice public buildings, fountains and monuments it gives the tourists a chance to stroll around hours and hours. I was climbing the hill with castle tower for the excellent view of the city. It is free to climb the hill. Another option is TV tower, but it is far from the center. They have good tourist info office in the city hall. Old Vilnius lies beetweem two rivers. You will find here many street cafes, the delicate green of the spring... The sun is shining. I have a good time in Vilnius!
|
May 09, 2016 06:00 PM Flying to Lithuania
Kiev - the capital city of Ukraine has 3 mln inhabitants and there is a lot to see. On my last day I took a long walk to famous Lawra monastery. It is like city in the city. Thre are caves with the gaves of the holy monks, but the most impressive are of course the golden-domed churches. With the chestnut trees in blossom spred around the view was beautiful.
But it was time to say goodbye to Kiev and my friends. In Kiev Borispol airport I (and more then thousand other passenger) we were waiting more then an hour before security control because the false alarm. When they finally opened the door a huge crowd was pushing us... no police, no security to keep everything in order... miserable...
I landed in Vilnius wth the delay. In front of the airport terminal there is a city bus stop. Bus 3G took me for 1 euro to the city center. Welcome back to Vilnius!
|
May 08, 2016 06:00 PM Pirohovo - worth to visit
Pirohovo Museum of National Architecture is located on the outskirts of Kiev. To get there take the subway to the Ipodrom station and change there to the trolleybus 11 - conductors sell tickets on the trolleys for 3 hr. Then you have to walk about 2 kms to the entrance and pay 40 hr for the ticket. They put there houses from all regions of Ukraine. Wooden churches, water- and windmills, village houses. It is spread out on the big, hilly area, so allow a least 4 hours to see everything. Many houses are open to see the interior and in one orthodox church there was a service - I enjoyed especially their singing.
|
May 07, 2016 06:00 PM Walk around Kiev
Cloudy day, raining from time to time but I took the walk through the center of Kiev. On the streets you still hear mostly Russian language. This is the result of the decades of soviet domination. It is not far from my mini-hotel to St Sophia monastery converted into museum. Entry fee is 80 hr if you want to see ornate church or 20 just for the courtyard.
Famous Michaylovski Golden Domed Monastery is visible from the St Sophia gate. This moonastery still works and you can visit for free nicely painted church. From Michaylovski it is already not far to the heart of Kiev - well known Maidan or Independency Square with high column and nice fountains. Kreshchatik - the main street of Kiev goes from the square to the south.
My Ukrainien friends showed me also Andreyevski Uzviz - very seep and picturesque street of the old town going down to the river.
In the evening at their home I was giving a slide-show about my theveling through the world. We had a great time. Very hearty people!
|
May 06, 2016 06:00 PM Kiev - Ukraine
I am flying on Ukraine International from Vilnius to Kiev. The ticket is cheap assuming that you fly only with a cabin baggage. Nobody checked the weigh of my backpack in the old-fashioned Vilnius airport.
But on board of the plane they serve for free only mineral water.
After 1.5 h flight I landed in Kiev Borispol airport. The terminal is much more modern and impressive then in Vilnius but do not expect any tourist info here. It is better to bring a city map with you!
There are money changers in arrival hall - I was positively surprised - they are giving the same rate like in the city! Once you left the terminal on the right there are skybus stops - that is the best way to go to the railway station or to the nearest subway station "Kharkivska" - you pay on the bus 50/35 hryvnas. For one euro you will get 28 hr.
Kiev subway is one of the cheapest in the whole world - the token for one ride will cost you only 4 hr - less then 20 UScents.
I get of the subway at Zoloty Vorota station, walked 200 m to the opera. Just opposite the opera there is budget traveller's paradise: mini-hotel on the 11th floor of the huge building (bookable via booking.com) For just 20 euro I got here clean and quiet single room with bath, TV, fridge.
But the main advantage is the view over the roofs of Kiev and very central location. Well, they do not speak any western language here, but it should not be a problem since the receprionist is ver friendly...
|
May 05, 2016 06:00 PM Most beautiful Lithuanian castle
Panevezis -Poniewiez - big city in the central Lithuania disappointed me - in fact it has not an old toown and the only attractions for the tourist are few churches. So soo I was diving further south by excellent and empty highway A2. Before the sunset I reached Trakai - Troki in Polish where on the island on the lake you will find nicely restored castle. It is very picturesque place so no wonder that crowds of tourists are coming here. Locals charge 3 euro for parking the car in their courtyard. I strongly recommend to come here by local transport (train or bus) from nearby Vilnius... But this is obligatory place when you are coming to Lithuania.
|
Page:
135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145
|
|
|